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Archives > Summer 1994 articles
Circle of Harmony Healing Society
Native Solutions to Native Problems by Native Peoples
The Circle of Harmony Healing Society is an innovative Native
mental health service that is evolving in much the same way
as many other effective First Nations mental health services
across Canada. We have combined traditional First Nations
approaches to healing along with non-Native mental health
services to form an effective healing program. By adhering
to traditional native values and beliefs, we have established
a code of ethics which has served to guide the formation of
our treatment model. This code of ethics, founded on the principles
of respect, care and love, has enabled us to develop a successful
treatment approach that is responsive to the needs of most
First Nations people in our area.
Programs developed include:
- Native Mental Health Worker Program
- Couples Suffering from Family Violence
- Urban Native Sexual Abuse Program
- Traditional Native Sexual Abuse Program
Treatment principles, guidelines, timelines and complete
program descriptions have been published in our manual entitled
Native Treatment Programs (the blue book).
One of the traditional principles that guides us is the
recognition that healing is a systemic process. In other words,
our healing is affected by, and limited to, the level of health
exhibited by our families and close relations. Consequently,
provision of healing opportunities to individuals within a
family without addressing the dysfunctional behaviours within
the entire family system will likely produce "limited" long-term
change for any one individual.
From January to April 1994 we ran our fifth 12-week family
violence program in our community. This is a program for couples.
Over 120 individuals (60 couples) have completed the course
to date, with approximately a 95% success rate, ie. no further
physical violence between the couples. Participation in this
program is voluntary, not court ordered. We offer two sessions
each year, one starting in January and one in September.
We completed our ten-month basic sexual abuse program for
families in June 1993, and are now in the three-year monthly
follow-up part of the program. We have a weekly support group
for the offenders and one for the victims, for those who wish
to attend, independent of the monthly sessions with the families.
We have worked with 26 offenders (and their families) to date,
none of whom, so far as we are aware, have reoffended. We
keep in close contact with the families that have been through
our program. Our next program cycle is scheduled for September
1994. This is a community program, not a residential program.
We had an evaluation of our program by Dr. Edward A. Connors,
who resides in Ontario. Interested readers can contact our
office if you would like a copy of this evaluation. I quote
from the report:
"It was apparent during my conversations with the clients
of the program that they had never before experienced the
type of healing that they have with the Circle of Harmony
program. They were able to identify how the program offered
them alternatives for healing that they have never before
realized were available. They commented upon the culturally
appropriate approaches to healing and the hope that was generated
from knowing that there is a possibility that their family
can reunite as a healthier unit."
We have 17 active adult Native Mental Health workers at
the present time. These volunteer workers are the backbone
of our programs, and many have been working with us for over
four years. We also trained nine adolescents who wished to
work as "Peer Counsellors." They recently finished a 10-week
training course. Most of these youngsters came from the families
that attended our programs in the past. These youngsters work
under the supervision of our program out of the Terrace Mental
Health Office.
During the year we have also worked with many clients on
an individual basis, ie. not in any specific program. This
often includes home visits. Much of our work is related to
traditional healing through use of sweats, healing circles,
smudging etc., and participation is voluntary on the part
of the client.
During 1993 we received our first grant from the Aboriginal
Health Council for $25,000, which was used to hire our Native
Mental Health Co-ordinator, on a half-time basis. This worker
had volunteered her time for four years prior to this as the
director of the Native Mental Health Worker program. She works
closely with the Psychologist who directs the Sexual Abuse
Program and the Family Violence Program. We have otherwise
run our programs out of our own pockets and with the support
of Mental Health, ie. for an office and office supplies.
We have received considerable national recognition of our
programs. Our workers have given workshops in almost every
Province and Territory, and in just the last year have spoken
at four conferences in Ontario, three in Vancouver, and once
each in Inuvik and Yellowknife. We have received over 300
requests for our program material (the blue book), and already
in the new year we are committed to speaking at a conference
in Ontario in the fall, as well as conducting a number of
workshops and training sessions within British Columbia.
If you wish further information
on our programs please contact us at:
Terrace Mental Health Centre
#202 - 3412 Kalum Street
Terrace, B.C. V8G 4T2
(604) 638-3325
Earl Henderson (Patchaw-wan-sis), Board Chairman
Joanne Peters (Ged-awil-zepq), Co-ordinator
Maurice L.B. Oates Jr., M.A. (Ya'-ga-hlo'o), Registered Psychologist
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